THE HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

JUNE 23, 1898

 It was the creation of the Department of Public Works, Education and Hygiene (now the Department of Public
Works & Highways, Department of Education Culture & Sports, and Department of Health) through the
Proclamation if President Emilio Aguinaldo.

September 29, 1898

 Establishment of the Board of Health for the city of Manila under General Order s No. 15

1899- 1905
 Abolition of the Board of Health and appointment of Dr. Guy L. Edie as the first Commissioner of Public Health.

Act. No. 157 of the Philippine Commission

 The creation of the Board of Health for the Philippine Islands; it also acted as the Board of Health for the city of
Manila.
Acts Nos. 307, 308, and 309
 The establishment of the Provincial and Municipal Boards of Health, completing the health organization in
accordance with the territorial of the division of the islands.
Act. No. 1407 (also the “Reorganization Act”)
 It is the abolition of the Board of Health and its functions and activities were taken over by the Bureau of Health.

1906
 Passage of Act No. 1847 of the Philippine Commission repealing Act No. 307 wherein the provincial Board of Health
gave way to the Office of the District Health Officer.

1912
 Passage Act No. 2156 (Fajardo Act) which authorized the consolidation of municipalities into sanitary division and
established what is now known as the Health Fund.

1915
 Changing the name of the Bureau of Health to the “Philippine Health Service”, which was later on changed to its
former name.

1932
 Passage of Act No. 4007, also know n as “the Reorganization Act of 1932”, which created the Office of the
Commissioner of Health and Public Welfare, the Philippine General hospital, and the five examining boards. These
are the medical, pharmaceutical, dental, optical, and nursing.

January 01, 1941

 The creation of the Department of Health and Public Welfares as provided for in Executive Order No. 137, series of
1941. The Department was under the Secretary of Health and Public Welfare. It is also included the Bureau of
Quarantine, the health department of chartered cities, the provincial, city and municipal hospitals, dispensaries and
clinics, the public markets and slaughter houses, the health resorts, and all charitable and relief agencies. But the
Philippine General Hospital was detached from the department and transferred to the Office of the President of
the Philippines.
1947
 It was the reorganization of government offices under the Executive Order no. 94, series of 1947 with the transfer
of the Bureau of Public Welfare to the Office of the President and the department was renamed as Department of
Health (DOH).

1950
 Under the Executive Order No. 392, series of 1950, the Department of Health gained additional functions brought
about by the transfer of the Institute of Nutrition, together with the Division of Biological Research and the Division
of Food Technology from the Institute of Science, and the Public Schools Medical and Dental Services from the
Office of the President of the Philippines and the Bureau of Public School respectively to the DOH.
 Within the Department of Health, certain changes were also affected thru the transfer of the Decision of health
Education and Information of the Bureau of Health to the department proper. In exchange for which the Drug
Inspection Division was transferred to the former office from the latter. The conversion of the Section of
Tuberculosis to a Division of Tuberculosis, directly under the Office of the Secretary, and the conversion of the
Division of Laboratories into an Office of Public Health Research Laboratory.

1958
 The creation of eight regional health offices and two Undersecretaries of Health; the Undersecretary of Health and
the Medical services and the Undersecretary of Special Services.

1971
 The creation of Food and Drug administration, Bureau of Disease Intelligence Center, Malaria Eradication Service,
Bureau of Dental Health service, the National Comprehensive Maternal and Child Health/Family Planning Program,
National Nutrition Program, and the National Schistosomiasis Control Commission.

1972
 Through Letter of Implementation No. 8, pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 1 (September 24, 1972), the DOG
was renamed Ministry of Health. The National Cancer center and Radiation Health Services were created. The
Ministry was divided into 12 regions covering several provinces and cities under a regional health director. Attached
offices were the Philippine Medical Care Commission, the Dangerous Drugs Board, National Nutrition Council,
Population Commission, National Schistosomiasis Control Council and the Tondo General Hospital.

1982
 Under Executive Order No. 851, the Health Education and Manpower Development Service were created and the
Bureau of Food and Drugs assumed the functions of the Food and drug administration.

1986
 The Ministry of Health became Department of Health Again.

1987
 Another re-organization under Executive Order No. 119, which placed under the Secretary of Health five offices
headed by an undersecretary and an assistant secretary. These offices are the Chief of Staff, Public Health Services,
Hospital and facilities Services, Standard and Regulations, and Management Service.
1992
  Full implementation of Republic Act No. 7160 or Local Government Code. The DOH changed its role from one of
implementation to one of governance. Significance change include the branching out the Office of the Public Health
Services to form the Office for Special Concerns. Two big offices merged to become the Office of Hospital facilities,
Standards and Regulation. Special projects were highlighted like the NID. National Micronutrient Campaign,
Disaster Management, Urban Health and Nutrition Project, Traditional Medicine, doctors to the Barrios Program,
“Let’s DOH It”! become a national battle cry.

1999
 The functions and operation of the DOH was erected to become consistent with the provisions of Administrative
Code 1987 and RA 7160 through Executive Order 102. The Health Sector Reform Agenda of the Philippines, 1999-
2004 was launched. The reforms are: Provide fiscal autonomy to government hospitals; secure funding for priority
health programs; promote the development of local health systems and ensure its effective performance;
strengthen the capacities of health regulatory agencies and expand coverage of the National Health Insurance
Programs. National Objective of Health 1999-2004 was launched. This states the Philippines objectives fir the
eradication and control of infectious diseases commonly affecting our people, major chronic illnesses and injuries
that compromise lives of the productive sector. It encourages promotion of healthy lifestyle and health-seeking
behaviors to prevent or control certain debilitating illness and life-threatening diseases.

2000
 This year marked the institutionalization of the Health Sector Reform Agenda (HSRA). The HSRA was endorsed for
approval and support by the National Government Agencies, national and local stakeholders in health, and
partners in the international community. The HSRA has become the major framework for policies and investments
for the health sector.

2001
 In July, 13, 2001, the Administrative Order 37 which contained the guidelines on the operationalization of the HSRA
implementation plan was signed by Sec. Manuel Dayrit. It is also during this year, the 13 convergences sited or the
advance implementation areas have been established.

2003
 The One-Script Systems Improvement Program was established (AO 50, S. 2003) to orchestrate unity, synchrony
and focused targeting of priority public health programs that would provide the biggest impact to attaining equity,
efficiency, access and quality health care in the country. A major breakthrough was achieved in providing fiscal
autonomy to 68 DOH retained hospitals with the approval of a special provision of FY 2003 GAA which authorized
100% retention and the use of hospital income for upgrading of health facilities and services.

2005
 FOURmula ONE for Health (F1) was launched as the health sectors blue print for the implementation reforms to
bring about better health outcomes, more responsive health system and more equitable healthcare financing.
Province-wide Investment Plans for Health were developed in 16 provinces as the basis of F1 implementation in
these sites.

2006
 The Presidential Anti-Graft Commission recognized and awarded the DOH as the number one government agency
in fighting corruption. DOH also topped in the Pulse Asia 3rd Quarter Survey as the number one government agency
in terms of overall performance.